Tulane University's journey toward an on-campus football stadium ran into a roadblock Thursday.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneTulane President Scott Cowen speaks during a Thursday hearing on a measure that would give the City Planning Commission the power to review plans for an on-campus stadium before Tulane can proceed.

Or at least a hurdle, as Tulane President Scott Cowen called it.

In a packed New Orleans City Council chamber that included a contingent of Tulane football players decked out in jerseys, council members voted 4-2 in favor of an interim zoning district, or IZD, that would give the city greater control over construction plans for the 30,000-seat venue and could delay a projected January ground breaking.

Thursday's vote means Tulane is blocked for now from filing for construction permits for the stadium, which would be built between Audubon Boulevard and Ben Weiner Drive, between the baseball team's Turchin Stadium and the Reily Student Recreation Center on campus. Plans called for it to be completed by 2014, but that timetable could be in question.

The measure introduced by Councilwoman Susan Guidry directs the City Planning Commission to hold a public hearing on the idea of amending the city's zoning law to prohibit construction of any building or facility at Tulane or two other Uptown universities covering a footprint of more than 50,000 square feet and a gross floor area of 250,000 square feet. The only pending project that appears to meet those criteria is Tulane's stadium.

However, the mere passage of the IZD means the prohibition takes effect immediately and will stay in effect until the commission and then the council decide whether to amend the permanent zoning law, either to prohibit such large facilities altogether or, more likely, to impose some new restrictions on their construction.

The commission is not expected to hold its hearing until summer, and then it could be several more weeks before the council would vote on whatever it recommends.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, a supporter of Tulane's plans, said he would veto an ordinance blocking the project if it ever comes to his desk, but he cannot veto the motion passed Thursday.

For Tulane neighbors such as Bobby Savoie, who favors the IZD, the vote was encouraging.

"We're pleased with the results of the vote," Savoie said. "We're just sorry that it happened at all. I think it's the only course that will allow for valid public input into the stadium process. We have tried our very best to have a discourse with Tulane, and they have simply not been willing to do that.

"This IZD is the only manner we have now to bring Tulane to the table and make them have an honest dialogue with us."

Tulane representatives have met with various neighborhood associations affected by the project, but they have not defined how the stadium would be used beyond football games, critics said. The preliminary parking study the university presented also proved inadequate for some residents.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneIn the New Orleans City Council chambers on Thursday members of the Tulane football team sit behind Xavier President Norman Francis as the council holds its hearing. Francis spoke in opposition to the measure.

Audubon Boulevard resident Katie Crosby also addressed the council in favor of Guidry's proposal. She said walking into a room with a large Tulane contingent that included Cowen, head football coach Curtis Johnson, Athletic Director Rick Dickson and many university staffers, donors and fans was daunting.

"It was extremely intimidating. I was a nervous wreck." Crosby said. "But I think the message of the neighborhood group (Save Our Neighborhoods) -- which has been consistent throughout --- is we're not against Tulane. We're not against the stadium. We want to be brought to the table in the conversation. We want to know that Tulane has listened to our concerns, and to this point we have not felt that way. This ensures that."

Cowen approached Crosby and other members of Save our Neighborhoods outside the council chamber after Thursday's meeting and said he would personally hear their concerns and try to find a solution that works for everyone.

"We're in a chicken-and-egg argument," Cowen said. "If we had done all our homework and then gone to them, we would have been criticized (by people saying), 'You did all this and you didn't get any input from us.'

"The other side of the coin is you go to the neighbors and say, 'What are your concerns?' and then we work on them ... then they are frustrated because they want answers today that we don't have. And we don't want to give them half-baked answers. We want to give them complete answers so when they see it, then we can have a really good conversation."

The interaction between Cowen and the neighbors brought a calmer end to an afternoon that kicked off with high emotions. Cowen took a stern tone in addressing the council and Guidry.

Cowen said the council was circumventing existing law to enforce proposals in a new comprehensive zoning ordinance that has not been completed, much less brought before the council.

Leaders from Loyola and Xavier also spoke against the proposal.

However, it passed 4-2, with Guidry, Jackie Clarkson, Stacy Head and Kristin Gisleson Palmer in favor. Jon Johnson and Cynthia Hedge-Morrell voted no. One council seat is vacant.

"The other thing you have to remember is that this project doesn't require a variance under current law," Cowen said. "We are now going to be exposed to perhaps having to conform to a comprehensive zoning ordinance that is not even in place legally, and that just doesn't seem fair or appropriate."

Guidry, whose district includes the Tulane campus, said the existing law does not protect the quality of life of nearby residents and would not come close to providing adequate parking for stadium events, among other issues.

She added at the end of the meeting: "I hope the best for Tulane ... hope for a valid and viable stadium that enhances Tulane and its sports program.

"With that in mind, I would just say I think the council has shown and stated its intention to work toward the stadium happening."

Landrieu spokesman Ryan Berni issued a statement saying the mayor "opposes the IZD, as it is contrary to the master plan" and "will adversely impact Tulane and other universities, stalling progress for these good community partners and economic engines."

Berni said the administration "intends to work aggressively with Tulane to ensure that its parking and traffic plans make sense and minimize impact on the surrounding neighborhoods."